Alan Shearer names two Sunderland players in Team of the Week after Newcastle United derby win
Two Sunderland players have made Alan Shearer's Premier League Team of the Week after Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Two Sunderland players have made it into Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week following their Wear-Tyne derby victory over Newcastle United.
The Black Cats won 1-0 against their fierce rivals on Sunday thanks to a Nick Woltemade own goal. As a result, Sunderland remain unbeaten in their last 10 league fixtures against the Magpies - a run that started back in March 2012.
Regis Le Bris’ men are eighth in the table after 16 games, but only trail Manchester United, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace above them on goal difference, while there’s just a two-point gap to fourth-place Chelsea.
Alan Shearer names Sunderland duo in Premier League Team of the Week
Sunderland’s excellent start to life back in the top flight has been fuelled by a superb defensive record, with only four sides boasting a better tally than their 17 goals conceded.
Sunday’s heated showdown at the Stadium of Light followed that trend, with Sunderland limiting Eddie Howe’s side to just two shots on target and six shots overall, to the tune of 0.24 xG (FotMob).
With that in mind, it’s no surprise to see two Sunderland defenders make Shearer’s Team of the Week, with the Newcastle legend - probably begrudgingly - naming Dan Ballard and Reinildo in his XI.
“Didn’t put a foot wrong as he dealt with everything Newcastle’s attack had to throw at him,” Shearer wrote of Ballard on the official Premier League website.
The centre-back was a colossus for Regis Le Bris’ side on Sunday, winning all three of his ground duels and four of seven aerial duels, while making eight clearances, one tackle, one interception, and one recovery. No Newcastle player managed to dribble past Ballard, who also misplaced just four of his 34 passes, showing composure on the ball right when Sunderland needed it.
On Reinildo, Shearer said: “Newcastle’s attackers had no joy down Reinildo’s flank. He nullified Anthony Elanga, who didn’t get a sniff.”
To Shearer’s point - and just like Ballard - nobody dribbled past Reinildo on Sunday, while the Mozambique international logged hugely impressive defensive numbers of two tackles, five clearances, two interceptions, one block, and seven recoveries.
Reinildo also won both of his aerial duels and four of six ground duels, while making his presence felt in the attacking half with two crosses, six passes into the final third, and one successful dribble.
Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Week: Bernd Leno; Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Dan Ballard, Reinildo; Harry Wilson, Morgan Rogers, Ibrahim Sangare, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Hugo Ekitike, Erling Haaland. (Manager: Pep Guardiola)
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
What next for Sunderland?
Sunderland’s staff and players won’t be able to celebrate their derby win too hard, with a tough away fixture at Brighton to come this Saturday.
The Black Cats then conclude their 2025 schedule at home to fellow newly promoted side Leeds United, before kicking off 2026 with two challenging fixtures against Manchester City at home and Tottenham Hotspur away.